Keratoconus Contact Lenses From Your Bronx Optometrist

For many people who have refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, getting fitted for contact lenses is relatively easy, even if allowances have to be made for dry eye or other conditions. But if you suffer from keratoconus, getting the right pair of contact lenses for your needs can prove quite a challenge. This abnormality of the corneal tissue causes the cornea to bulge in a manner that many contact lenses can't compensate for. Fortunately, your Bronx optometrist at Pelham Parkway Vision Center can provide the specialized products and fittings necessary to correct this type of vision problem.

How Our Bronx Optometrist Diagnoses Keratoconus

Keratoconus is a condition in which the tissues of the cornea (the spherical "window" that covers the pupil and iris) begin to bulge outward in a cone-like shape, causing distorted vision. This eye ailment may be caused or influenced by genetics, oxidative damage, UV exposure or even excessive rubbing of the eyes. You may experience progressively worsening nearsightedness and/or astigmatism as the deformation becomes more severe. Your Bronx optometrist, Dr. Listsyn or Dr. Ilyasova, can use diagnostic techniques such as corneal topography, slit-lamp testing and visual acuity evaluations to confirm keratoconus and monitor its rate of progress.

Gas Permeable, Scleral and Other Contact Lenses

Most moderate visual distortion can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses -- but not just any contact lenses. The thinness and peculiar shape of the corneal tissue means that ordinary soft contacts are too flexible to provide the necessary compensation. But your eye doctor here at Pelham Parkway Vision Center can fit you for specialized lenses such as:

Gas permeable lenses - Gas permeable lenses are more rigid than traditional soft contacts, so they hold their shape as they sit on the cornea. This type of lens provides superb vision correction by providing a consistent spherical curvature for refracting incoming light.

Toric lenses - Toric lenses are designed to remain in place on the eye instead of rotating when you blink. This enables them to maintain accurate correction for irregular corneas.

Hybrid lenses - People who find regular gas permeable lenses uncomfortable may prefer hybrid lenses. These lenses still provide a rigid shape and consistent curvature, but the edges are soft.

Piggyback lenses - Piggyback lenses accomplish the same combination of comfort and clarity as hybrid lenses, but in a different way. This solution involves applying a gas permeable contact lens on top of a cushioning soft contact lens.

Scleral lenses - Scleral contact lenses solve the problem of the irregular corneal shape by simply "vaulting" over the cornea entirely. These plus-sized lenses are designed to sit on the white of the eye, extending well past the corneal area to ensure optimal refractive correction.

Contact Your Bronx Eye Doctor to Learn More

Learn more about your contact lens options for correcting keratoconus. Call your Bronx eye doctor to schedule your appointment and ask any questions you may have today!

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